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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Eschscholzia caespitosa

Eschscholzia caespitosa Benth.

Tufted Poppy, Tufted-poppy

Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: esca

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

An annual, usually with several 4-12 in. stems from a tuft of finely dissected, basal leaves. The solitary flowers have satiny-yellow petals.

The genus is named after Dr. J.F. Eschscholtz who lived from 1793 to 1831. He performed duties as a surgeon and naturalist with Russian expeditions to the Pacific coast from 1815 to 1818.

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Yellow, sometimes with orange spots at the base of each petal.

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: CA Central Valley to San Bernardino & Orange Cos.
Native Habitat: Grasslands, dry flats & brushy slopes below 3500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry soils.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1988 VOL. 5, NO.3 - Wildflowers in Bloom, Education and Tours, Poppies Brighten Barren Places, Pamel...
Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.2 - Wildflower Network Operates in Louisiana, Wildflower Handbook Published, Researc...
Wildflower Newsletter 1991 VOL. 8, NO.3 - Native Plants Provide a Wealth of Foods and Fibers, Letter from the President, A...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Eschscholzia caespitosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Eschscholzia caespitosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eschscholzia caespitosa

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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